Our Milestones: Students’ use of video capture in their final year project [1321]

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Description

‘Our Milestones’ is a student and tutor-led initiative initially aimed for Design students working on their final year projects. A tangible output from the cycle of activity is a series of 20 videos produced by participating students. These videos capture ‘Our Milestones‘. The Milestones are points on the students’ final year project journeys which are identified and defined as being significant by tutors to subject-knowledge, high-level skills, understanding, and most importantly, to self-directed and experiential learning. The value of the videos, which is barely captured and shared within current practice, is the vivid feedback of real experience to current and future student cohorts. We often say learning from each other is the most effective learning, but these learning moments are typically within small groups and quickly evaporate. The aim is that the ‘Our Milestones’ videos will become a sustainable and evolving reference resource as new Milestones are added by future student generations.

This project aims to embed within the Department of Design’s project-based-learning curriculum an increased emphasis on; ‘engaging students in responsive or authentic science learning experiences in which students engage in inquiry-based research projects about questions of interest to them’ (Goldman, 1997; Krajcik, Blumenfeld, Marx, Bass, & Fredricks, 1998; Merino & Hammond, 1998; Warren, Rosebery, & Conant, 1989). Moreover, ‘project-based pedagogy includes (a) questions that encompass worthwhile and meaningful content anchored in authentic or real-world problems; (b) investigations and artifact creation that allow students to learn how to apply concepts, represent knowledge, and receive ongoing feedback; (c) collaboration among students, teachers, and others in the community; and (d) use of literacy and technological tools’ (Cognition and Technology Group, 1992; Krajcik et al., 1998; Mercado, 1993)

Given the above pedagogical background, ‘Our Milestones‘ aims at supporting embedding these principles in students’ final year projects. In particular, the student-led video format builds on the emerging context for Technology Enhanced Learning and the demands of contemporary professional environments. The intended outcome of this project is that the combination of the skills attained through these methods will enhance learning and better equip students for future careers.

The presentation will give an account of the stages undertaken to deliver the ‘Our Milestones’ project objectives, lessons learnt so far and changes made to the project approach to achieve the intended outcomes. The effect of this project on the student learning experience will also be highlighted and discussed.

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